Jonjo O’Neill has ruled Cloth Cap out of the King George VI Chase at Kempton, despite running “a cracker” when sixth in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at Newbury on Saturday.
Under a hefty 11st 8lb, the nine-year-old was prominent in the three-and-a-quarter-mile Grade Three handicap until turning for home, before fading under Tom Scudamore.
O’Neill has no immediate plans, other than ruling him out of the Christmas showpiece.
He said: “Cloth Cap is grand, thank God. He ran grand. He won’t go for the King George – he is out of that. I don’t know yet what the plans are. We’ll see how he goes. He ran a cracker.”
It was something of a disappointing weekend for the Jackdaws Castle team, as odds-on favourite Soaring Glory failed to deliver in the Listed Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Intermediate Hurdle at the Berkshire track.
Transfer Centre LIVE! Will Rangnick eye January recruits?
Rangnick’s permit wait means Carrick will oversee Man Utd vs Arsenal
PL predictions: Palace to send Leeds closer to trouble
Ronaldo criticises France Football over Messi Ballon d’Or claims
Chelsea trio doubtful vs Watford | Tuchel ‘not scared’ to rotate
Pep: Grealish must deliver his best for City this season
Liverpool’s record-breaking attack analysed
Klopp hails ‘brilliant’ Van Dijk ahead of Goodison Park return
Man Utd vs Young Boys could move to neutral venue
F1’s new fastest street track and the big title ramifications
Seeking to build on success at a similar grade at Ascot, the six-year-old finished last of four to Onemorefortheroad.
O’Neill was at a loss to explain his performance and said: “Soaring Glory is fine. Of course you’d be disappointed with that.
“There are no plans at the minute, to be honest. We’ll wait and see how his is, but he is absolutely fine.
“If you say he is better than that, let him go and prove it!”